Hall of Fame

Arnold to explore Asian opportunity

Central Coast Mariners announce the club’s Head Coach Graham Arnold will travel to Asia this week with a view to joining a successful top-flight side.

Central Coast Mariners have advised members, fans and media that the Club-s Head Coach Graham Arnold will travel to Asia this week with a view to joining a successful top-flight side.

Arnold-s ambition to coach abroad at the highest level possible is well documented, and with strong interest from a Club in one of Asia-s biggest leagues, the Mariners acknowledge that there is a strong probability Arnold has coached his final fixture for the 2013 Hyundai A-League Champions.

Should Arnold sign in Asia, current Central Coast Mariners Assistant Coach Phil Moss will be promoted to the role of Head Coach at the Mariners. At minimum, Moss will take charge of the Club-s first team training sessions while Arnold is abroad.

Central Coast Mariners Group General Manager, Mr Peter Turnbull, said that the Club has been working on a succession plan for Arnold-s eventual departure for some time.

“The success of our Club over the past three seasons under Graham Arnold and his staff always meant Graham would receive interest from rival Hyundai A-League and foreign Clubs,” Turnbull said.

“As such, we have been planning for the past 18 months for Phil (Moss) to take on the role of Head Coach of the Club upon Graham-s departure. Of course, Graham has been helping prepare Phil for the position."

“We will know for certain by no later than Sunday whether or not Graham has finalised a deal in Asia, and will notify our members, fans, and media of any updates as soon as possible."

Central Coast Mariners will make no further statements regarding Arnold-s potential departure until such time as the deal is finalised, or he returns to the Club to continue in the role of Head Coach.